Irish Budgeting expert Caz Mooney reveals her Money-Saving Back-to-School routine

With just days to go until the new school year begins, households across Ireland are once again facing the annual back-to-school scramble – new uniforms, packed schedules and the return of the dreaded 7am alarm. For Irish budgeting influencer Caz Mooney, getting the routine right doesn't have to come at a cost, either to your sanity or your bank balance.

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"Back-to-school always feels like it creeps up on you, and it's so easy to end up overspending because you're rushing and not planning ahead. This year I'm sticking to a set weekly grocery budget and doing a proper shop-and-plan session every Sunday - it's made a real difference, not just to my busy days, but in terms of what I'm spending too."

1. Shop smart with a full weekly shop

Rule no.1: plan the week before you shop, not after. Building a list around what the family will actually eat - and sticking to it - cuts down on impulse buys and food waste, which she believes adds up to real savings over a school term. With ALDI Savers in store across everyday staples, the big shop stretches further again. Reviewing the weekly ALDI leaflet before you shop allows you to plan meals in advance, giving great dinner inspiration to make your weekly budget go further.

2. Build a self-serve breakfast station

Caz sets up a dedicated breakfast station in the kitchen - bowls, spoons and a rotating mix of porridge, pancakes and cereal all in one spot - so the kids can serve themselves. It cuts down on the "there's nothing for breakfast" panic and means less gets wasted, since everything's visible and easy to grab. Caz’s current pick: Grainne's Pancakes 99c (was €1.19).

3. Prep lunch ahead - for the kids and for herself

"Life is always so busy, so batch-prepping lunches at the weekend rather than buying lunch out has become a real routine for me," says Caz. "It's honestly one of my biggest weekly savings." Looking ahead at the Back-to-School ALDI Savers items available from Thursday 27^th August – Wednesday 9^th September, Caz plans to build lunchboxes around Mini Tortilla wraps 65c (was 85c), Soft Grain Sub Rolls 69c (was 85c), Brannan’s Traditional Irish Ham €1.99 (was €2.49) as well as Houmous Snack Packs 99c (was €1.19).

4. Cook once, eat twice

With after-school activities and homework to fit in, Caz relies on traybakes and one-pot meals for busy evenings, and batch cooking gives her back some time in the kitchen. It also means less waste, no last-minute takeaway orders, and dinner sorted for another evening without breaking the bank!

5. Do the closing shift!

Uniforms laid out, school bags packed, lunches made and breakfast prepped - Caz's final hack is a five-minute reset each evening that removes the guesswork from the following morning and helps you stick to the weekly budget. For younger kids, a routine chart gives some independence and responsibilities for what needs to be done before you leave the house to help the mornings run smoothly.

"None of this is about being perfect - it's about taking the panic out of the morning and staying in control of what I'm spending. A bit of prep goes a long way, for me and for the kids."

ALDI helps families prepare for the new school year with great value across a wide range of back-to-school essentials, from lunchbox favourites to practical everyday items for children of all ages. As households continue to manage rising costs, ALDI remains focused on delivering quality products at affordable prices, ensuring customers get everyday low prices across the full shop, without compromise.

See below for the ALDI Savers available in ALDI stores nationwide from August 27^th to September 9^th:

• Nature’s Pick Mini Easy Peelers 500g 49c (was 99c)

• Nature’s Pick Loose Red Paper each 49c (was 79c)

• Village Bakery Part Baked Rolls 4 pack 65c (was 85c)

• Village Bakery Mini Tortilla Wraps 65c (was 85c)

• Ballymore Soft Grain White/Wholemeal Sub Rolls 4 pack 69c (was 85c)

• Egan’s Carrots 1kg 79c (was €1.39)

• Nature’s Pick Funsize Banans 7 pack 99c (was €1.95)

• Houmous Snack Pack 60g 99c (was €1.19)

• Grainne’s Pancakes 8 pack 99c (was €1.19)

• Egan’s Rooster Potatoes 1kg 99c (was €1.99)

• No Added Sugar Double Strength Squash Orange/Summer Fruits/Apple & Blackcurrant 1.5 litres €1.19 (was €1.49)

• PinKids Apples 5 pack €1.29 (was €1.99)

• McGrath’s Master Blend Tea 80 pack €1.49 (was €1.99)

• Brannan’s Back Bacon Rashers Smoked 400g €1.99 (was €2.39)

• Brannan’s Traditional Irish Ham 320g €1.99 (was €2.49)

• Kavanagh’s Gluten Free Organic Porridge Oats 500g €1.99 (was €2.39)

• Brooklea Top Up Yogurt Drinks 6 x 180g €2.49 (was €2.99)

• Irish Slow Cooked BBQ Pulled Pork 400g €2.99 (was €3.69)

• Cheestrings 8 x 20g €2.99 (was €3.49)

• Batchelors Baked Beans 3x225g €2.99 (was €3.69)

• Skellig Bay Marinated Salmon Fillets 220g €3.49 (was €4.39)

• Butcher’s Selection Irish Turkey Burgers 400g €3.49 (was €4.19)

• Butcher’s Selection Irish Beef Quarter Pounder Burgers 454g €3.29 (was €3.99)

• Tayto 12 pack €3.99 (was €4.75)

• Brennans Bakehouse Choose from Chia Wholegrain or Multiseed 400g/500g 2 for €4.50 Available Thur 27 Aug - Thur 10 Sept

• Butcher’s Selection Irish 5% Fat Beef Steak Mince 500g €4.79

• Butcher’s Selection Irish Chicken Breast Fillets 500g €4.99 (was €5.89)

• Butcher’s Selection Irish Stewing Beef 600g €5.99 (was €6.99)

Slán go fóill.